That was also year 2 of the report card, so I think our resident voters have become a bit more picky given a larger sample size and more honed in definitions of good performance relative to competition.
I'll never forget that 2014 CU game. I didn't even watch it, was listening to the radio broadcast, losing my f'n mind while on vacation, walking around south congress (Austin).
It didn't last, but the first drive under Dykes was pretty awesome: Brendan Bigelow broke off a copule of big runs, Goff was 4 for 4 in passing, and then the fake field goal for a touchdown. Exciting changes from late Tedford, who barely played Bigelow, and was super conservative - always going for the field goal.
I remember saying to myself, "That was awesome, now let's see how the defense looks!".
The creativity on offense was such a pleasant relief after Tedford's throw-spaghetti-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks offense in 2011-12. Trotting out Goff, who wore the same number as Leininger, on 4th down against Ohio State? Brilliant.
I felt the same way watching the defense in the closing minute of the 2017 UNC game. UNC was at the goal line with 20 seconds left and they needed two scores to win. So how do you force them to burn more clock? Commit defensive holding on every play to burn the clock ~5 seconds at a time. It wasn't pretty, but it was very clever and quite effective.
Excellent choices. My favorite was the USC win in 2018 with Patrick Laird getting that critical first down on 4th-and-1, which iced the game and led to Wilcox' fist pump.
Totally concur. And guiltily admit my own chadenfreude when the SC corner came up yapping his mouth at the Cal bench and got the 15-yard unsportsmanlike. : D
Interesting that the win over Davis was so dominant that people presumably grading on an FCS curve gave Cal such high scores
That was also year 2 of the report card, so I think our resident voters have become a bit more picky given a larger sample size and more honed in definitions of good performance relative to competition.
Awesome list; the decade itself wasn’t spectacular but damn there were some fun moments. In no particular order:
1. Cam Goode picking off Shea Patterson to ice the game against ole miss.
2. Vic breaking free against Texas to seal it (even if he did stop a little short)
3. That 2014 shootout in Pullman
4. Goff’s comeback against ASU in 2015
5. Weavs pick six against UDub
6. JK picking off Herbert in OT
7. Goff lowering his shoulder On 4th down against UDUb
8. James Looney stuffing Zack Moss at the goal line as the clock expired
9. The Rubenzer wildcat package that knocked off northwestern
10. Goff carving up air force in the armed forces bowl
Heh, at first off the cuff glance, I read: 2. Vic breaking free against Texas to seal it (even if he did DROP a little short.)
I will also add Brendan Bigelow's 4 carries for 160 yards performance. That was Jahvid-esque
I'll never forget that 2014 CU game. I didn't even watch it, was listening to the radio broadcast, losing my f'n mind while on vacation, walking around south congress (Austin).
It didn't last, but the first drive under Dykes was pretty awesome: Brendan Bigelow broke off a copule of big runs, Goff was 4 for 4 in passing, and then the fake field goal for a touchdown. Exciting changes from late Tedford, who barely played Bigelow, and was super conservative - always going for the field goal.
I remember saying to myself, "That was awesome, now let's see how the defense looks!".
The creativity on offense was such a pleasant relief after Tedford's throw-spaghetti-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks offense in 2011-12. Trotting out Goff, who wore the same number as Leininger, on 4th down against Ohio State? Brilliant.
I felt the same way watching the defense in the closing minute of the 2017 UNC game. UNC was at the goal line with 20 seconds left and they needed two scores to win. So how do you force them to burn more clock? Commit defensive holding on every play to burn the clock ~5 seconds at a time. It wasn't pretty, but it was very clever and quite effective.
That holding penalty strategy was great. In hindsight it was a really served notice that we have a cerebral and competent coaching staff.
Excellent choices. My favorite was the USC win in 2018 with Patrick Laird getting that critical first down on 4th-and-1, which iced the game and led to Wilcox' fist pump.
Totally concur. And guiltily admit my own chadenfreude when the SC corner came up yapping his mouth at the Cal bench and got the 15-yard unsportsmanlike. : D
The AQI game was also the birth of #victoryformation and had reef betting TwistNHook $1million dollars that we would win (I think reef put up $1)
Oh, that Bowers flip. I remember it gaining national attention, including on the r/cfb banner.
Couldn't agree more that the 2018 Oregon State game is oh so forgettable. I still couldn't tell you anything that happened in that game.
If only the 2019 Oregon State game could have been equally forgettable...
Great list. Only quibbles. Go Bears!